LANGUAGE RIGHTS IN SECTION 6 OF THE ZIMBABWEAN CONSTITUTION: LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY AFFIRMED AND ACCOMMODATED? Innocent Maja1 Abstract This article examines the extent to which the language rights regime in s 6 of the Zimbabwean Constitution affirms and accommodates linguistic diversity in Zimbabwe. The study further suggests ways in which Zimbabwe could practically implement the language rights norms in s 6 of the Constitution. Introduction Section 6 of the Zimbabwean Constitution (“the Constitution”)2 is an embodiment of the constitutional regime for the protection of language rights in Zimbabwe. It provides for three crucial concepts that help protect language rights, namely: a) official language status; b) use of official languages; and c) promotion of use and development of all languages in Zimbabwe. Perhaps the relevant question is why study the constitutional protection of language rights in Zimbabwe? Four reasons come to mind. First, the intrinsic value of language affirms the need to protect language rights. Language is a mirror of one’s cultural identity,3 a vehicle of culture,4 a medium of expression,5 a means of transfer of 1 LLBS (Hons) (University of Zimbabwe); LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa) & LLD (University of Pretoria); mrmaja@hotmail.com; Lecturer in Law, University of Zimbabwe. 2 Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment Act 20) of 2013 3 Webb and Kembo-Sure (eds) African voices (2000) 5 contend that in Africa, ‘people are often identified culturally primarily (and even solely) on the basis of the language they speak.’ 4 Kwesi Kwaa Prah, in his 2006 report commissioned by Foundation for Human Rights in South Africa ‘Challenges to the promotion of indigenous languages in South Africa’ 3-4, argues that language is a central feature used to transmit, interpret and configure culture. 5 In Malawi African Association and Others v Mauritania (2000) AHRLR 149 (ACHPR 2000) para 136, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights established that ‘[l]anguage is an integral part of the structure of culture; it in fact constitutes its pillar and means of expression par excellence. Its usage enriches the individual and enables him